The gathering ended just like that, and Hai Bodong and the others left satisfied. After all, everyone had gotten what they wanted.
When Xiao Yan learned of Han Feng's handiwork, he laughed. "My foolish senior brother, aren't you just helping me? Do you know how many Summoning Points this has saved me?"
Xiao Yan laughed as he spoke, even wanting to swindle another Dou Ling Pill out of Han Feng, though that was a little unrealistic.
Elder Yao sighed when he heard Xiao Yan's words.
"Han Feng's talent was not inferior to yours in the slightest. Unfortunately, his temperament was immature. Otherwise, how could he have stopped at the peak of the sixth tier?"
Only after hearing Elder Yao's words did Xiao Yan understand Han Feng's former place in his heart. If the people Xiao Yan loved and trusted most by his side had betrayed him, that kind of pain was not something ordinary people could overcome.
"Teacher, don't worry. Someone like Han Feng will not come to a good end. And everyone who bullied you back then, I will make them pay the price."
Xiao Yan's words even made Elder Yao laugh.
"Xiao Yan, I don't know why, but you have secrets that even I cannot fathom. Still, I choose to believe in you, because you have that potential." Elder Yao looked at Xiao Yan as he spoke.
Xiao Yan looked at his swollen legs and grinned. "Teacher, I understand that, and I know you're touched. But can you let me rest for one night?"
Elder Yao's expression changed instantly. Another wooden post slammed into Xiao Yan, and the surging Dou Qi sent him flying into the water.
"When you can withstand this kind of attack with your fists alone, your Earth-class Dou Technique will be fully mastered! So you still cannot slack off!"
Xiao Yan: "Sob, sob, sob..."
After Hai Bodong obtained the pills, Han Feng finally relaxed. Still, it was impossible for him not to worry at all.
After all, these two pills were enough to make two Dou Emperor-level experts risk their lives to obtain them.
Their value was beyond measure.
When Han Feng saw Hai Bodong off, he repeatedly reminded him, "Ice Emperor, I have put a great deal of effort into this matter. I still hope that you and Sect Master White Fang will not make excuses when the time comes."
"Rest assured, Medicine Emperor! I, Hai Bodong, have traveled the world for many years. I still have this much credibility. Don't worry, I will definitely be there when the time comes," Hai Bodong replied calmly.
Han Feng also breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Ice Emperor, don't worry. Go back and cultivate in seclusion as you please. There is no need to rush for now, and once this matter is accomplished, there will be an additional generous reward!"
When Han Feng said the words "generous reward," he stressed them heavily.
Hai Bodong nodded, spread his Dou Qi wings, and flew away.
White Fang was still waiting for him at the Xiao Sect.
After that day, the newly risen Xiao Sect closed its doors. Yet it stirred up a storm throughout the Black-Corner Region, and no one knew what had happened that night.
No one knew why the Xiao Sect had closed its doors either. Most strangely, none of the major factions made any move at all.
In the blink of an eye, three months passed.
For a time, rumors flew everywhere.
Even Jia Nan Academy received some news.
First Elder Su Qian sat in the seat of honor, looking at the dozen or so elders seated below him.
Most of Jia Nan Academy's elders were Dou Wang-level, and only two or three had reached the Dou Emperor level.
"Everyone, you all know about the recent situation in the Black-Corner Region, right?" Su Qian asked in a somewhat weary voice.
The matter of the Fallen Heart Flame had already left him exhausted, and he also had to stay on guard against the forces of the Black-Corner Region.
Although the Black-Corner Region feared Jia Nan Academy's strength, Su Qian knew that Han Feng must be aware of the Heavenly Flame in the Inner Academy. After all, Han Feng also possessed a Heavenly Flame. Moreover, the Fallen Heart Flame erupted from time to time. With his keen Soul Power, it would be strange if he could not sense it.
One elder answered, "It seems that a new force has risen in the Black-Corner Region. It is called the Xiao Sect. It has two sect masters, one human and one magical beast. Both are around the peak of the Dou Emperor level, and they even defeated the long-established Gold and Silver Elders."
"That's right. To gain a foothold in the Black-Corner Region, they first annexed the Blood Sect and wiped out its entire sect. But strangely, they did not seize the chance to expand. Instead, they chose to close their sect and ignored all matters in the Black-Corner Region," another elder added.
Su Qian nodded. There was no point in discussing it any longer. He could only remind everyone to be more careful.
Just as Su Qian was preparing to end the meeting, he noticed Yun Potian sitting at the far end. Yun Potian had now reached the strength of a six-star Dou Wang.
During his time in the Inner Academy, Yun Potian had spent nearly all his time cultivating bitterly inside the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower.
As a result, his strength had advanced by leaps and bounds.
"This must be Elder Yun, who joined the Inner Academy less than a year ago?" Su Qian looked toward Yun Potian.
"Reporting to the First Elder, I am Yun Potian," Yun Potian replied.
His youthful presence and sword-like sharpness made him seem utterly out of place among this group of old men, but Su Qian was happy to see some youthful vigor.
"Mm. How has the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower been recently?" Su Qian asked.
"The Fallen Heart Flame rioted once a month ago, but three elders on duty and I suppressed it together. There has been no reaction at present," Yun Potian answered.
Su Qian nodded. Being too quiet is not necessarily a good thing. However, he did not say those words aloud and merely dismissed everyone.
At the back mountain!
"Flame Cloud Fist!"
Along with a deep roar, a crimson phantom several yards long took the shape of a fist and struck a waterfall.
The immense heat and impact vaporized and scattered all the water from the waterfall. The waterfall, dozens of meters high, was actually cut off.
Xiao Yan looked at the massive fist mark on the stone wall, then at his reddened arm, and smiled at Elder Yao. "Teacher! I've completely mastered it now, right?"
Elder Yao nodded in satisfaction. The result was quite good. Their months of bitter cultivation had not been in vain. Xiao Yan had broken through to Dou Ling a few days ago, then used a Star-Adding Card to reach two-star Dou Ling.
Name: Xiao Yan Age: 16 years, 9 months Strength: Two-Star Dou Ling Alchemist Rank: Third-Tier Alchemist Cultivation Technique: Flame Mantra (High Xuan Class) Dou Techniques: Eight Extremities Collapse (High Xuan Class), Mystic Divination Palm (Low Xuan Class), Heaven Collapsing Technique (High Xuan Class), Flame Splitting Wave-Devouring Ruler (Low Earth Class), Flame Cloud Fist (Low Earth Class) Summoned Experts: Hai Bodong (Seven-Star Dou Emperor) Eight-Winged Black Emperor Snake (Peak Dou Emperor) Yun Potian (Six-Star Dou Wang) Summoning Slots: 3/5 Heavenly Flames: Myriad Beast Spirit Fire Green Lotus Core Flame Item: Heavy Xuan Ruler Summoning Talismans: Three Intermediate Summoning Talismans Summoning Points: 6500 (can be exchanged for various items in the System Mall)
As Xiao Yan looked at the panel, the extra 3,000 Summoning Points and two Intermediate Summoning Talismans were rewards the system had given him for breaking through to Dou Ling.
"I've been cultivating bitterly outside for five months. It's time to go back and see Xun Er!" Xiao Yan's longing surged in his heart again.
Elder Yao looked at Xiao Yan and said with a smile, "Go back. I've guided you for so long; it's time for me to rest as well."
Just like that, Xiao Yan returned to the Inner Academy!
Before you continue